A County Durham museum is highlighting a golden decade of design with never before shown objects from the private collection of one of the UK's most influential fashion designers.

Fashion and art from the golden decade of design features in an exclusive show at The Bowes Museum which has some of Vivienne Westwood's most recognisable creations from mid-1980s to the mid-1990s.

They have been loaned to the Museum, in Barnard Castle, from the private collection of Peter Smithson.

The exhibition, in the fashion and textile gallery, explores the inspiration the late designer took from paintings, sitters in portraits and the materials and techniques used by artists, as well as examine how she reflected this in her pieces. 

Mr Smithson said: “I am delighted that The Bowes Museum is able to show this latest collection of pieces which highlight the homage Vivienne made to the work of Old Masters through her Portrait collection.

"The pieces displayed will explore the abstract ways Vivienne so wittily represented every aspect of what she observed, including inspiration and ideas she drew from alternative forms of creative expression.

"I hope the exhibition provides as much enjoyment for visitors as A Collector’s Story, and continues to pay an affectionate tribute to the irreplaceable Vivienne Westwood.”

Rachel Whitworth, The Bowes Museum’s Curator (Fashion and Textiles) added: "We are delighted to be working with Peter once again to showcase his fantastic collection alongside historic items from The Bowes Museum which illuminate Westwood’s artistic processes. 

"The addition of the work by Northumbria University will give visitors an insight into the design and making of some well-known Westwood pieces, and a sense of how they would feel to wear.

"We really hope that this show will not only inspire our visitors but also the fashion designers of tomorrow."

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood is open now, until March 2, 2025.

Here are some pictures of the collection:

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